When to visit
Angola has a mild climate year round. December through March is the hottest season with constant rain and daily temperatures around 31ºC. Thus summer here is the time to wear light colored clothes made of cotton or linen fabrics.

The dry season of May through September is cooler and averages 23ºC. By night there is normally a chilly wind accompanied by a light misty fog. A light-weight jacket is usually enough to withstand the cooler weather.

December is generally a busy month because schools are on vacation and emigrants travel home for the holidays. At this time international flights are often full.

What to do

Blessed with a sunny sky and showered by the sea, Luandenses have as favorite pastimes the beach and night-long club dancing. A typical day in Luanda includes plenty of outdoor activities, sun and a club by night

Despite its warm and clear waters there is more than the beach for leisure activities in Angola.

Some of the options available are: safaris in the national parks and reserves, hiking and paragliding in the hill country and in Luanda's outer skirts, surfing, wind surfing and fishing along the coast, bird and giant turtle observation and sightseeing around the cities. As an ex-colony, Angola preserves some of the traits of its colonial architecture in magnificent buildings and churches.

Health Risks
When arriving at an Angolan frontier it is mandatory to show an International Immunization Card with stamps for inoculation against yellow fever and cholera within the past ten years. Travelers without these immunizations may involuntarily be subject to inoculations and/or fines.

Visas

Almost every foreign citizen requires a visa to visit Angola. A visa can be obtained in the nearest Angola Embassy or Consulate and it is normally valid for 30 days and extendable up to 90 days. The following links provide information about required documentation to obtain a visa (for foreigners) and passports (for nationals). Please note that this information is neither absolute nor does it invalidate requests for further documentation by the Angolan authorities. For up to date information of the required documents, please contact an Angolan Embassy or Consulate.    (26KB) Visa information for foreigners <_install Acrobat Reader

Within the country malaria is the virus that mostly troubles locals and visitors alike. The mosquitoes that cause malaria are more active at the end of the day and can the found in both urban and bushy areas. Protect yourself against the mosquito by using long-sleeves and an anti-mosquito spray.

Money
The use of credit cards and of ATM's is not yet available in Angola. All your expenses will have to be paid for in cash. Exchange of money or of traveler's checks for Kwanzas can be done at the banks and at currency exchange shops.

Accommodations
In the capital city Luanda there are several hotels and inns with prices varying from moderate ($$) to expensive ($$$). In the remaining provinces, there is at least one major hotel in the main cities.

Transportation

In Luanda the buses constitute the public transportation and have routes to almost all parts of town. In the rest of the country the availability of reliable public transportation is almost non-existent.

Visitors wishing to travel to the provinces are advised to do so by air transportation. Traveling by car is not recommended because, as a consequence of the civil war, the roads are in poor condition and in general there are no infrastructures for emergency road side assistance.

Nevertheless, to see the beauty of the Angolan landscape up close it is best to travel with a caravan of cars and to have someone who knows the local routes and roads in the group.

Security
To have a pleasant stay, use your common sense and follow some basic safety rules:

• Do not flash large sums of money
• Do not flash expensive jewelry and accessories
• Avoid walking by dark and deserted streets in the evenings
• Drive with the car doors locked and do not pick up hitchhikers
• Abide by the local laws.